Folding crib



(No Moclel.) P. J. EBERT- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

- FOLDING CRIB. No. 523,337. Patented July 24, 1894.

+%* w I I! I lli v MWHN 1.1mm, m M HUM x 1 L Li Wbbvumowl fmfl 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. P. J. EBERT.

FOLDING CRIB.

(No Model.)

No. 523,337: Patented July 24, 1894.

ms nonms PETERS co. PNOTO'LITHOH wnsnma'rou n. c,

ATENT OFFICE,

FREDERICK J. EBERT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING CRIB.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 523,337, dated July 24,1894.

Application filed April 3, 189 4. Serial No. 506.156. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

.Be it known that I, FREDERICK J. EBERT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Cribs, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a folding crib removably hung on a ceiling, wall or standard, and which latter may be set in any convenient placejn a room; and a further object is to construct a crib which may be folded or rolled up into a convenient parcel and carried about for instance to pleasure grounds, &c., to serve as childs crib or hammock in the open air.

The leading features of my invention are, folding of the crib into a small parcel, simplicity' and lightness in construction of the crib, safety to the infant occupying the crib combined with the advantages of securing an airy, clean and unobstructed resting or playing place for an infant. I I

The invention consists of a crib composed of two series of four rods hinged together'at their respective ends, and the two series of.

rods united by netting, canvas, cloth or other similar flexible material, the lower series of rods connected by a bottom of netting, whose meshes preferably form a square, and four cords or strings, attached to the lower series of rods, adapted tosuspend the crib from one or more points.

My invention further consists of the improvements hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, and which will be more fully understood taken in connection With the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which-- Figure 1, is a View showing the improved crib suspended from a hook in the ceiling of a room. Fig. 2, is a view of the same crib as suspended from a hook in the wall of the room. Fig. 3, shows a standard having two hooks, from which the crib may be suspended andthe crib with the standard moved from place to place, for instance alongside ofabed. Fig. 4., shows in detail a part of the upper series and lower series of rods held at desired distances by the suspending cords. Fig. 5,

shows in detail a hinge joint with eyes of two meeting ends of the rods forming the frame of the crib. Fig. 6, shows the under side of the crib when opened and held in such position by diagonal cords, one end of which is adapted to be detached from one corner of the said crib, to allow the same to be closed. Fig. 7, shows the crib. closed ready for transportation. Fig. 8, shows a rolling-up bottom adapted to rest on the lower series of rods, to

afford a floor for the child to stand on when bedding is removed from the crib. Fig. 9, are cross-sections of the bottom in straight position and rolled-up position, and Fig. 10, shows one means of fastening the netting or canvas forming the bottom and sides of the crib to the hinged rods forming the frame of the crib.

Referring now to the drawings for a further description of my invention, A is the crib composed of two series of rods B and B, the side netting C, the net bottom D and the suspending cords E. Each series of rods B and B is hinged together, by hinges b, comprising the hinge halves b fastened to each end of the respective rods and the pin b pro- Vided at either end with an eye 5 for a purpose to be described; and the rods of each series are so proportioned in length as that they will form a rectangular frame the sides of which are preferably one to two.

The hinges as shown or of whatever construction must have their pivotal point or pin 17 in line withthe inner edges of the rods B or B to allow of the closing of the frames as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. It will however be understood, that an additional set or sets of hinges may be employed at the center of the short rods, which are then cut at this point so as to allow the crib to be closed in the usual manner, '6. e. the halves of the short bars close upon themselves and draw the long rods close together.

The bottom netting D with rectangular meshes is held by the series of rods B in anyconstituting the rods B. It being however understood, that the particular fastening of the netting or other substance is immaterial, as any other method may be employed for instance, winding the netting around the rods B and B and then securing the edge meshes by tacks, or drilling holes along the axis of the rods and tying the cords or strings constituting the netting to the said rods.

The bottom netting D must have rectangular meshes in order to allow of closing the frame formed by the series of rods B as will be readily understood; and to hold the bottom frame in an open position, diagonal cords d and d are provided; the cord (Z being fixed to the eyes I) of the hinges b diagonally disposed to each other, and the cord (2 being fixed with one end to an eye of one of the hinges, while the opposite end of the cord (2 is provided with a loop (1 which may be attached and detached from the eye of the remaining hinge b.

If it is desired to close the frame composed of the rods B, and as shown in Fig. 6, the cord d with its loop d is detached from the eye of the last mentioned hinge, and both frames formed by the two series of rods B and B, together with the sides 0 and bottom D are folded to assume a condition as shown in Fig. 7.

To the lower eyes 11 of the hinges b of the rods B are fastened the suspending cords E, which pass through the upper eyes b of the Same hinges then inside the corners of the side netting 0, through the lower eyes I) of the hinges b of the rods B, through the upper eyes of the same hinges and to a suitable support or supports as a hook or hooks F, provided on a ceiling G, wall II or a standard I, Figs. 1, 2 and 3. On the cords E are provided three sets of hooks e, e and c so that the crib A may be hung as shown in the said figures.

The series of rods B are made by this arrapgement adjustable with reference to the bottom D, on the suspending cords E, so that the former may be raised or lowered by hand with regard to the bottom of the crib, and be retained in any desired position by the weight applied to the said bottom, as the friction produced between the eyes of the hinges b of the rods B and the suspending cords E supersedes the weight of the rods E plus the additional weight of a child, which may enjoy being supported by one of the rods B.

The maintenance of the position of the rods B on the cords E, due to the friction produced between the parts stated, is what renders the crib safe and avoids the numerous accidents, which have been sustained by children wherever ordinary hammocks were installed for infants resting places.

A rolling-up bottom J may advantageously be used in the crib, when it is desired to keep an infant or child at one place, the crib, which is then used as a play-compartment. The

usual bedding is in this instance removed from the crib and the bottom J is laid on the lower series of rods B as shown in Fig. 10. The child is then afforded a walking ring and can use the upper series of rods B and the side netting (J for support; the rods B are set by hand to the proper height, so as to accommodate the size of the child.

The bottom J may be constructed in any manner, but preference is given to the construction shown in Figs. 8 to 10, in which the bottom J is composed of a number of slats j glued or otherwise secured on a piece of canvas 3', or the slats may be hinged together in any other way to allow of rolling-up of the bottom, as shown in Fig. 9.

When transporting the crib, it may be folded as shown in Fig. 7 and the bottom J may be wrapped around the same as will be readily understood, so that the whole may conveniently be carried about from place to place.

I desire it to be understood that modifications as to detail constructions of the different parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention; and

Having thus described the nature and objects of my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. A crib comprising two folding frames each composed of four rods hinged together at their respective ends, netting connecting the said frames to form the sides of the crib, netting of square meshes connectingthe fourrods of the lowerframe to form the bottom of the said crib, oppositely disposed eyes on each corner of the upper frame, suspension cords fastened to the lower frame and passing through the oppositely disposed eyes to hold the upper frame in position thereon and to allow of an upward and downward movement of the said upper frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2 A collapsible crib comprising two foldin g frames each composed of four rods hinged together at their respective ends, netting connecting the said frames to form the sides of the crib, netting of square meshes connecting the four rods of the lower frame, a roll-up bottom adapted to rest on the rods forming thelower frame, suspension cords fastened at the corners of the lower frame, eyes formed on opposite sides of the upper frame and located at each corner of the said frame, said cords passing from the lowerframe through the lower and upper eyes to hold the upper frame in any desired position,snbstantially as and for the purposes set forth.

. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, FREDERICK J. EBERT.

Witnesses:

HERMANN BORMANN, HARRY J. FRANZ.

IIO 

